A deep understanding of prime numbers is one of the great challenges in
mathematics. In this new edition, fundamental theorems, challenging open
problems, and the most recent computational records are presented in a
language without secrets. The impressive wealth of material and
references will make this book a favorite companion and a source of
inspiration to all readers.
Paulo Ribenboim is Professor Emeritus at Queen's University in Canada,
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and recipient of the George Pólya
Award of the Mathematical Association of America. He is the author of 13
books and more than 150 research articles.
From the reviews of the First Edition:
Number Theory and mathematics as a whole will benefit from having such
an accessible book exposing advanced material. There is no question that
this book will succeed in exciting many new people to the beauty and
fascination of prime numbers, and will probably bring more young people
to research in these areas.
- Andrew Granville, Zentralblatt
Ribenboim is a rare creature - an academic who writes in an unstuffy
way - and his book gives an overview of what is currently known about
primes.
- Robert Matthews, The Sunday Telegraph
...This genially reader-friendly tour de force, by a scientist with an
encyclopedic and up-to-the-minute knowledge of the subject, is a wholly
admirable addition to anyone's bookshelf.
- John H. Halton, American Scientist
